Guizhou and Guangxi classical karst landform and ethnic

7 days chengdu qinghai silk road luxury travel (copy)

Guizhou and Guangxi classical karst landform and ethnic

minorities tour

A National Geographic “Tour of a Lifetime”, this adventure through boarder of China -Guizhou and Guangxi hide in breathtaking classical karst landform and undulating rice terraces.Hiking between villages, you’ll share the hospitality of vividly distinct ethnic groups that still practice their own traditional way of life.

About this Journey

With fairytale images of rustic lakeside farms, terraced rice fields, jagged karst peaks and colorful ethnic minorities, the southwest provinces of Guizhou and Guangxi have been a gem refuge for travelers for decades. Selected as one of National Geographic Traveler‘s “Tours of a Lifetime,” this journey takes you on an exploration of the mindblowing backcountry and vibrant ethnic minority culture of these historically secluded areas. Starting in Guizhou, hike through remote pastures and rice paddies as you trace local footpaths from village to village, stopping to share meals and spend nights with local ethnic minority families, each with their own customs and traditions.

Highlights of the tour

Experiencing the real, hidden China by interacting with various ethnic minorities

Soaking in the astounding surroundings of oblong mountains jutting out amidst terraced rice fields and picturesque villages on a cruise along the Li River

Trekking through the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, which display a different concoction of vibrant colors with every passing season

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Guilin,Guangxi

Guilin is famous for its picturesque landscapes – karst mountains and the Li River. Upon your arrival, your private driver will greet you and then send you to your hotel in the downtown area. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace.

Day 2: Guilin’s Landmarks

Explore the Historical Daxu and Natural Wonders

In the morning, drive to visit Daxu Ancient Town, located about 18 kilometers southeast of Guilin’s city center. Explore the ancient stone bridges, and enjoy centuries-old wooden houses and archways. The well-preserved buildings transport you back through 1,800 years of history.

Return to Guilin downtown area and tick off the city’s landmark – Elephant Trunk Hill, where the Li and Taohua Rivers meet. The natural rock formation just resembles a giant elephant drinking from the river.

After that, drive for 20 minutes to the Reed Flute Cave. 240 meters deep and 500 meters long, the cave features its illuminated ancient stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations. These earn it the title “the Palace of Natural Art.” Crystal Palace and Lion Rock and Sunrise are the best spots here. After a full day of cultural and natural wonders, back to your hotel in central Guilin to relax.

Day 3: Guilin to Yangshuo by Cruise

Li River Cruise & Yangshuo Countryside Cycling

You are transferred to to Mopanshan Pier to board a Li River Cruise for an 84-kilometer journey to Yangshuo. As you cruise downstream, admire breathtaking scenes that have inspired Chinese art and poetry for centuries – tall Karst mountains, water buffaloes grazing by the riverbank, and the very landscape featured on the back of the 20 RMB banknote. A simple local-style lunch will be served on board.

After around four hours, we arrive in Yangshuo Town and check in at your hotel. Take a brief rest and then we go out in the late afternoon for a countryside cycling tour along the scenic Ten-Mile Gallery. Ride past rice paddies, lovely villages, and limestone hills under the golden afternoon light. shoot the peaceful rural setting – farmers working in the fields and the soft chirping of birds.

As evening approaching, don’t miss the amazing “Impression Liu Sanjie” night show (optional, at your own expense) on the Li River! This beautiful performance uses the river as its natural stage. Created by famous director Zhang Yimou, the show runs for about one hour each evening at 7:40pm.

Stay overnight in Yangshuo.

Day 4: Yangshuo to Congjiang by High-speed Train

Bamboo Rafting on the Yulong River

Check out your hotel after breakfast.in the morning before leaving the town, you will experience the must-try activity in Yangshuo – bamboo rafting on Yulong River. It is non-motorized and steered by a local boatman.Enjoy the countryside views of rising Karst hills, rice paddies, ancient bridges such as Fuli or Gongnong.

After the adventure, enjoy some relaxing time or a light lunch. In the early afternoon, your guide will transfer you to Yangshuo Railway Station. From there, take a high-speed train for a 1.5-hour ride to Congjiang Station. Along the way, you may catch the karst landscapes gradually transform into the mountainous scenery of Guizhou.

Upon arrival in Congjiang, the local drive will pick you up and then escort you to a hotel for check-in.

Day 5: Congjiang to Zhaoxing Village

Today offers a gentler pace focused on wellness and cultural immersion after the previous days’ explorations.The main experience of the day is a rejuvenating Yao Ethnic Herbal Bath. This ancient tradition utilizes locally foraged herbs with therapeutic properties, offering a unique and deeply relaxing way to unwind. It’s a cherished cultural practice believed to promote circulation and relieve fatigue, providing perfect restoration for travelers.

Optional: oil tea experience

Day 6: Zhaoxing To Guiyang

Today we will have a opportunity to explore the captivating Zhaoxing Dong Village. Stroll through its lanes, admire the iconic drum towers and wind-and-rain bridges that symbolize ong architecture, and soak in the tranquil morning atmosphere of one of China’s most beautiful ancient villages.after visiting it ,we will head to Guiyang.Upon arrival , your driver will transfer you directly to the Guiyang Railway Station in time for your pre-booked train to your next destination.We wish you a pleasant and continued journey ahead! Thank you for traveling with us—it has been our pleasure to guide you through the unforgettable cultural and natural wonders of Guizhou.

Day 7: Guiyang – Huangguoshu Waterfall – Anshun (B)

After breakfast, drive about 2.5 hours to Anshun for today’s trip to Huangguoshu Waterfall, which is the largest waterfall in Asia. You will appreciate different views of the waterfall, especially go behind the waterfall and see how water starts dropping and touch the waterfall.

Visit Doupotang Scenic Area which is one of the shooting places of well-known TV series of one of the four Chinese literature classics – “Pilgrimage to the West”. Walk pleasantly there to appreciate the 105 meters wide and 21 meters high waterfall formed on the more than 100 meters calcific beach bar, which dumps from the top giant pool of 15 thousand square meters wide. As the waterfall always roars strongly during flooding period, it is also named “Roaring Waterfall”.

Next, take the sightseeing vehicle to have a close admiration of Tianxingqiao Scenic Area. Catch all its essences of Karst landscape to know why it is complimented as a fairyland of Karst ecology miniature landscape with different sceneries at different angles and idyllic environment of birds and flowers, water and mountain, forest and cave, etc. Here you will see the stone forest of 0.4 square kilometers grows on water with verdant undershrub and cactus, and meet the Beauty Banyan looking like a beautiful lady with graceful posture.

Then, take the sightseeing vehicle to see the iconic Huangguoshu Waterfall of 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide. With such magnificent and shocking scenery, it is the No.1 largest waterfall in whole Asia and one of the most famous waterfalls around the world. Walk around the waterfall to admire its distinct landscape from different angles and feel its breathtaking roaring of falling into the 17 meters deep shoal. Besides, you will encounter with more inspiring places including the 134 meters dragon-like Water Curtain Cave behind the waterfall, more than 3,000 excellent bonsai displayed exquisitely in the bonsai garden, and more to feel the grand sight of the large scenic area.

After the visiting, your guide and driver will escort you to the hotel in Anshun City and help you check in. Stay overnight in Anshun.

Day 8: Departure from Guiyang,Guizhou

Enjoy a leisurely morning with free time. Your driver will then escort you to Guiyang, where you will catch your flight or train to your next destination or return home. Your 8-day Guilin and Guizhou tour comes to an end!

Price ($=USD)

From $1300 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2 people. The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.

What’s Included:

7 nights’ accommodation in well-selected hotels;

Meals listed in the itinerary;

Private air-conditioned vehicle with licensed drivers;

Excellent local English-speaking tour guides services as mentioned in the itinerary;

Entrance tickets as mentioned in the itinerary;

Second-class train tickets from Guilin to Congjiang;

2 bottles of mineral water per person per day;

China Travel Insurance.

What’s Excluded:

Flight/train tickets to Guilin / off Guiyang;

Any optional activities inside the attractions;